The words of the rogue hit my ears and I feel myself falter slightly. I look to Cayden and then to the rogue. “What?” I try to find some voice from within me. Right now I feel like I am disintegrating. I had imagined a new life with a new fated mate. Never had I imagined having to share her with my best friend. I had heard of werewolves with more than one fated mate, yet had never actually come across them, it was not particularly common. I had seen Evelyn as mine the moment I had realised she was my fated mate. There had been feelings beginning to develop prior to that. She was already forming a place within my heart. Bringing sunshine into my previously very dull life. Making me smile so easily, and making me look forward to seeing her each day. I had no clue if the feelings were reciprocated. Though when I had moved to kiss her that once in the office, before Cayden had interrupted us she had not pushed me away… That was my hope she did not find me completely repulsive.

I lay in the bed, my mind is a swirling mess of nothingness. How has this happened. Literally earlier today I had been told to return to my pack, that we had been invaded. I had followed their orders despite my fears. I had met my fated mate in a strange twist of fate, and he seemed to be such a wonderful man. But he had been snatched from my grasp without even a chance to make anything official. I remember very little after that, other than Orla and I running. Running and feeling like we were falling apart. Then I awake to find a handsome man by my side, who I knew was my fated mate but he acted like I was a nobody and he walked away. Leaving me feeling rejected and alone and once again I fell apart, my wolf already fading and crumbling from our earlier trauma. What was my world coming to? What sort of goddess does this to her creations? Had I sinned so badly that I was being punished? And now I awake to discover I had been attacked, so badly to need marking my yet

To see Evelyn well and safe is the most wonderful feeling. I feel a contentment there, and I am suddenly wanting to hold her within my arms, but the fact I am now fully aware that she is not just my fated mate infuriates me. What sort of sick game is this by the moon goddess?! And the pain within my chest to see the mate mark she had chosen to return on Cayden was indescribable. She had chosen him it seemed. Yet I would fight for her. There was no denying that. I am not ready to give up on my second-chance mate yet. And I had no intention of sharing her. “We will get you back to the packhouse, my love.” I smile at Evelyn. “Let the doctor have his room back.” I am trying so hard to act like I am calm, when inside my emotions are a churning mess. My wolf, Micco is unsettled like nothing else I have experienced before. I think this shared mate situation has thrown him as much as it has me. This was not a normal scenario for us. And I did not know how to handle it. “Okay.”

We stand in the kitchen watching Evelyn storm away from us once again. We seem to be good at irritating her right now. That is likely not a good sign for us as mates. Though having three mates arguing over her is never going to be a good thing I imagine. I know for certain having two other men there vying for her attention is doing nothing but getting on every single one of my nerves! I want to kill the pair of them! “Well that worked fucking well didn’t it!” I snarl at them both. “Oh wind your neck in, Jax. You are as much to blame as us.” Cayden argues back. I should have known he would not take my shit. He was always willing to argue with me. “Well, we are not doing well. It is okay for you isn’t it? She marked you already, though the fact she stormed away implies she wants nothing to do with any of us at the moment!” I say angrily. “What are we to do?” Aiden suddenly speaks up. Each time he speaks, he takes me by surprise, I almost forget he is there. A

I take in the expression upon Aiden’s face at Jackson’s words. He is feeling something, I am sure of that… “So that element fits…” Aiden utters, which we already knew, we had spoken of that before, but disregarded it as coincidence. Or Jackson had, even suggesting perhaps Ariella had seen Evelyn’s wolf and used her as inspiration for the scroll. Either way the scroll and the words upon it had been disregarded until now… I watch Aiden as he continues to read the words inked across the old parchment. All a part of the visions Ariella had been having, I believe. She should be here to explain, I am sure she could help… “But not with one by her side, thrice times the strength is needed fate shall decide.” Aiden’s voice breaks my thoughts. “Again this is fitting, isn’t it?” “Keep reading then…” Jackson says, his head in his hands, now sat on the sofa within his office, looking as stressed as I have ever seen him. I am reading over the shoulder of Aid